Title: The learning ability of Portuguese small family businesses

Authors: António Fernandes; Ana Maria Ussman

Addresses: School of Technology and Management, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Business and Economics Department, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200 Covilhã, Portugal

Abstract: The learning ability of a firm is often cited as a necessary feature for its longevity. This ability has a greater impact on family businesses, given their characteristics. This research analyses the learning ability of Portuguese small family businesses. The research is based on an empirical study with primary data collected from a multiple case study of 22 firms. The results indicate that firms have some learning ability but on a small scale. The results also show that this learning capacity is almost absent from the design of firms' operations and employees and is especially related to the owner-manager and the relationship established with the environment.

Keywords: small firms; family businesses; learning ability; Portugal; learning capacity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2013.055219

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2013 Vol.17 No.1/2/3, pp.105 - 123

Received: 06 Apr 2012
Accepted: 09 Nov 2012
Published online: 30 Apr 2014 *

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